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Class IV Antiarrhythmics (Ca2+ Channel Blockers)

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Class IV Antiarrhythmics (Ca2+ Channel Blockers)

Class IV Antiarrhythmics (Ca2+ Channel Blockers)

(4) Fork Ant-Tie-Arrhythmia-Drummer (Calcium Cows Channel Blocked)
Picmonic

Class IV antiarrhythmics are Ca2+ channel blockers and are a unique class of drug, as they can be cardioselective or vasoselective, giving them a wide array of use. Cardioselective drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, inhibit transport of Ca2+ across the cell membrane during cardiac depolarization by blocking Ca2+ channels, decreasing SA node discharge. This decreases conduction speed through the AV node, leading to an increased PR interval and ERP. This mechanism allows class IV antiarrhythmics to treat reentrant supraventricular tachycardias, as well as protect the ventricles from arrhythmias in atrial flutter and fibrillation. They can also be used against angina and hypertension, mostly due to their effects on smooth muscle relaxation. Vasoselective drugs block Ca2+ channels in smooth muscle and decrease vasoconstriction and spasm. Nimodipine is indicated to treat subarachnoid hemorrhage due to its vasoselective properties.

These drugs have numerous cardiovascular side effects and can lead to sinus node depression, AV block and CHF in patients. Impaired Ca2+ transport leads to decreased gastrin signaling and decreased gut motility, causing constipation in patients.

9 KEY FACTS
INDICATIONS
SVT
Super-V-Tac

Class IV antiarrhythmics are indicated to treat supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), particularly those due to AV nodal reentry. These drugs can also be used for atrial flutter and fibrillation.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Submarine-arachnid with Hemorrhage-hammer

Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocking drug which is indicated during subarachnoid hemorrhage. This drug has higher effects on vascular smooth muscle than on cardiac conduction and contractility.

MECHANISM OF ACTION
Decrease Conduction Velocity
Down-arrow Conductor-snail

Ca2+ channels are especially concentrated in the sinoatrial and atrio-ventricular nodes, and these agents block Ca2+ channels, thus they can be used to decrease impulse conduction and velocity through the AV node.


It should be noted that Ca2+ channels are located in smooth muscle as well, and use of Ca2+ channels helps treat hypertension and vasospasm.

Increase PR Interval and ERP
Up-arrow PRada-purse and Ear-P

These drugs work to decrease conduction through the heart's AV node. This slowed cardiac conduction leads to an increase in PR and ERP.

DRUGS
Verapamil
V-rapper

Verapamil is a cardioselective Ca2+ channel blocker, and has higher activity on slowing AV conduction than it does on vasodilation. It is indicated for use in arrhythmia prevention, hypertension, angina and cluster headaches (cerebral vasospasm).

Diltiazem
Dill-tazer

Diltiazem is a cardioselective Ca2+ channel blocker which has actions similar to verapamil. It is used for SVT, angina, atrial flutter and fibrillation, as well as hypertension.

Nimodipine
Knee-moped

Nimodipine is a vasoselective Ca2+ channel blocker, and is used to treat subarachnoid hemorrhage.

SIDE EFFECTS
Cardiovascular
Heart-with-vessels

There are numerous cardiovascular side effects implicated with Ca2+ channel blocker use. These include CHF, AV block, and sinus node depression.

Constipation
Corked Con-toilet

Constipation is seen in this class of drugs, especially verapamil, as Ca2+ is a 2nd messenger for Gastrin, which is important for gastric motility. As Ca2+ is blocked, GI motility becomes impaired.

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